A Year in the Merde

Paul West, a young Englishman, arrives in Paris to start a new job and finds out what the French are really like. They do eat a lot of cheese, some of which smells like pigs' droppings. They don't wash their armpits with garlic soap. Going on strike really is the second national participation sport after petanque. And, yes, they do use suppositories.

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Publisher's Summary

Paul West, a young Englishman, arrives in Paris to start a new job and finds out what the French are really like. They do eat a lot of cheese, some of which smells like pigs' droppings. They don't wash their armpits with garlic soap. Going on strike really is the second national participation sport after petanque. And, yes, they do use suppositories.

In his first novel, Stephen Clarke gives a laugh-out-loud account of the pleasures and perils of being a Brit in France. Less quaint than A Year in Provence, less chocolatey than Chocolat, A Year in the Merde will tell you how to get served by the grumpiest Parisian waiter; how to make perfect vinaigrette every time; how to make amour, not war; and how not to buy a house in the French countryside.

As a French myself I had no problems with this book! Infact I thought it was really funny. He uses the good old jokes about the French and the observations in the book are very true! I recognised a lot of things about the French in here. I'd recommend it to everyone - French people included.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Alex

7/23/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"I love this book"

If you could sum up A Year in the Merde in three words, what would they be?

funny, charming, enjoyable

What did you like best about this story?

its just a funny good plot

Which character – as performed by Michael Praed – was your favourite?

Jean-Marie Martin

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no its quite long but ive listened to it lots of times

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Kate

United Kingdom

5/8/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Hillarious, brilliantly narrated novel"

The way how Michael Praed narrates this funny story about French and English...ehm..differences is a pure joy. Definitely is worth buying.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

D. Raffaj

london

4/8/13

Overall

"Hilarious!!"

Be prepare to surprise your neighbours with unpredictable waves of laugh whilst listening this fab piece. Adventures of young Englishman in Paris are just amazing thing. Very well transformed from written version to audible one. Particular use of distort-spelled words and sentences went amazing way. I am sure you will recommend this audio book to all your friends (as I did). I can't wait for the second part of the story in audio version.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Juliana

Windsor, berkshire, United Kingdom

5/16/10

Overall

"Funny !"

Even though I am not english nor french, I found the book extremely funny and interesting. Very well read.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Heather

Petersfield, Hampshire, United Kingdom

3/7/10

Overall

"A Year in the Merde"

excellent depictation of an expats introduction to France full of good humour colorful discription of life amongst the native French a thoroughly enjoyable book

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Miss

loughborough, United Kingdom

12/8/09

Overall

"dead funny!"

buy it

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Cameron

Ayr, Ayrshire, United Kingdom

6/9/07

Overall

"Fantastique!"

This is a tremendously entertaining book enjoyed by French and British alike. It has subtle humour and captivates from start to finish! Tres bon!

(Only critsism is that only the abridged version is available)

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Adam

Sittingbourne, Kent, United Kingdom

8/8/06

Overall

"Hillarious"

Amazingly funny book, really did make me laugh out loud. Having read the book on holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it, I then read it again on the train to work, people kept telling me to keep the laughing down a bit! I have passed the book on to all my friends, what better recommendation could you have?

I have also read the second book Merde Actually. Not as good, but still excellent

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

John

Alfreton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

2/25/06

Overall

"Year in the Merde"

I really enjoyed this book. I never knew where it was going to take me next.

Brillient

2 of 6 people found this review helpful

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